SYNOD III, LONDRES

urging, but of recommending and perswading, upon request made of Churches that shall stand in need,

2. About yearly fasts, It is not thought good to have any set time for our Fasts ; But when there shall be a generall occasion concerning our churches, then it shall be appointed by a Communication of all the Churches, and consent of the greatest part of them, to be gathered by the Coetus of London.

3. It being resolved to keep our triennial Colloquies of both the Nations, It is agreed that they shall be appointed at the same time ; that so in matters of moment we may take advice one of another : viz* The next Colloquie to be within three yeares from Easter last, upon the first thursday after Easter week, if no extraordinary occasion require it sooner.

4. Upon the Question whether a Church and Elders without the consent of the Minister or Ministers of that Church may bring in a Minister against whom there is exception made about his life or calling namely without his letters of dismission from his former Church ? Answer 1. If the exception be but of life or calling the Church and Elders may. 2. But if the exception be against his Doctrine, the Elders of our Discipline have no power to judge of Doctrine ; Therefore in this case it shall not be lawfull for the Church to proceed to his admission, untill the Colloquie judge the matter.

5. Whether if a Minister be necessarily absent, or unable to preach, it may be allowed in our Churches instead of preaching to get a good Homilie or printed sermon read ? Answ : It may not be allowed in our Churches but in case of great necessitie, whereof the Consistorie shall judge.

6. Whether a Minister of our Churches may have an English Benefice with cure of soûles, besides his own Church, if his said Church be contented therewith, as being not able to aford him suficient maintenance ? Answ : It shall be a rule for hereafter, that it may not be permitted in our Churches : Yet if there be any already in that case, that neither of both the Churches forrein or English is sufficient alone to maintaine him in regard of his charge ; For avoiding of greater inconveniences it shall be tolerated in this particular.

7. Whether the Communion may be administred in a private house, in a case of such necessitie that a member of our Churches being a long time lame & bedrid, & so ill that he cannot be brought to the Church, doth for his comfort earnestly desire the Comunion ? Answ : Our Discipline doth not permit to bring those publick services into private houses, for feare of Superstition : But the Minister must often visit and comfort the said partie, and teach him that the grace of God is not tied to the Sacrament.

8. If a Minister by age or sickness be disabled from preaching, whether the Church be not bound to continue him still his maintenance, And if they to avoid it should pretend povertie, whether the Colloquie ought not to judge of the truth of that pretence ? Answr : For the continuall maintenance of a Minister by age or sickness disabled from preaching, It is a ruled case that a Church is bound to aford it him : And when it shall appeare to the Colloquie, that they pretend povertie without just cause, they shall be liable not onely to the admonition, but also to the Censure of the Colloquie, and also to higher degrees of Discipline if these will not reclame them.

9. This Synod thinks it fitting, that both the Disciplines of our Churches be revised to wch they intend to keep themselves, each Nation revising her own ; And out of both one generall Discipline to be made, for a bond of neerer union between the two Nations, and to be translated into English, that it may be in a readiness to be shewed, in case that the King or Parliament should call for it : Whereunto are deputed Dr De Laune, Mr Delmé, Mr Liebart, & Mr